TB-3: Touch Bassline

The Magic of the TB-303 with New Sounds and Modern, Performance-Ready Features

Features

Based on the wildly influential TB-303, the new TB-3 Touch Bassline is a performance-ready bass synthesizer with authentic sound and intuitive controls engineered to play. The TB-3 contains the unmistakable character of its predecessor, wrapped in a modern package with a pressure-sensitive touch pad that makes both playing and programming a total joy.

Capturing the Original

Meticulously crafted from a pristine TB-303 unit, original spec sheets, and archival data

Rolands ACB technology models each component and every aspect of the original TB-303 sound

Faithful recreation of the original saw and square oscillator waveforms

Attack, slide, tie, and other elements that characterize the TB-303 have been fully reproduced, including how they interact with each other

Authentic filter behavior with smooth response and classic sound

TB Evolved

Pressure-sensitive touch pad

134 captivating sounds, including the original TB-303 tones and new four-oscillator, effects-processed basses, leads, and sound effects

Dedicated Tempo control with shuffle and tap tempo functions

Control built-in effects with smooth, responsive knobs

7-segment, 3-character LED display

Seamless switching between pattern creation and performance

16-step indicator lights to aid in pattern creation

Pattern support for up to 32 steps

Easy access to shuffle control for bass lines that groove

Enter steps manually or record in real time on the touch pad

Change step count during playback to alter the length of phrases

Random pattern generation and pattern modification

Pattern copy function

The Lineage

Nobody could have anticipated what would happen to the world of dance music when inventive musicians on both sides of the Atlantic embraced Rolands now-legendary TB-303. Since the 1980s, its been a staple of electronic musicit is the defining sound of acid house, and has since been the marquee instrument on an array of groundbreaking electronic dance tracks. Its not only been used to write songs, its had songs written about it. In fact, the release of the original TB-303 has been heralded as one of the key events in the history of dance music. Not bad for a little silver box.

The Sound

Launched in 1981, the TB-303 continues to be an indispensable bass synth for dance music. In developing the TB-3, weve meticulously analyzed the circuitry of the original TB-303 piece by piece, right down to the individual circuit behavior. Using Analog Circuit Behavior (ACB) technology, weve fully reproduced the TB-303s sawtooth and square wave oscillators, as well as the -18dB per octave ladder low-pass filter used in the original, capturing that unmistakable cutoff and resonance character.

In addition to the faithful reproduction of classic TB tones, the TB-3 is packed with new sounds that live and breathe. Bubbling synth basses, hard distortion basses, trippy delay sounds, and drippy effectstheyre all here, and then some.

The Feel

A TB-303 bass part not only sounds uniqueit has its own trademark feel as well. The TB pulses. It drives. It bubbles and it percolates. Thats why weve worked so hard to faithfully reproduce the accent, slide, and step sequencer behavior of the original unit. But our vision went beyond simple reproduction. The truth is, the step entry on the original TB-303 was difficult to use, the keyboard was difficult to play, and special maneuvers were required for the shuffle functions. So we experimented with a variety of prototypes in our quest to create the optimal TB interface.

Touch Pad

The new TB-3 is equipped with a brightly lit, pressure-sensitive touch pad that lets you seamlessly create patterns and interact with the unit during performance. In addition to pitch and volume, you can tweak filters and even control modulation by simply pressing down on the pad with your finger. It also makes the keyboard a breeze to play.

Envelope modulation and decay can be controlled with a single finger

Switch patterns, transpose, and chain patterns with finger gestures

Internally partitioned at keyboard intervals so its easy and natural to play in real time

Step Sequencer

The TB-3s evolved step sequencer is a snap to use and allows seamless switching between pattern creation and performance. Of course, an attractive aspect of the original TB-303 was how it would sometimes generate unintended sounds as the user maneuvered through its complex and cryptic pattern-creation operation. In order to inject that element of chance and discovery, the TB-3 includes automatic pattern generation and random pattern modification functions.

Scatter

The TB-3s Scatter function features slicing, reverse, gating, and other effects, allowing you to instantly create variations, stutters, and glitches that would normally require painstaking editing in a DAW. Complex, per-step functions are triggered easily with the touch pad and a single finger. You can keep things fresh and interesting with 8 different Scatter variations and 10 levels of Scatter depthall controllable in real time and in perfect sync.

A Few More Things

The TB-3 looks great, and is designed to work seamlessly with other products in the AIRA series. In addition, you can connect the TB-3 to your computer via USB to send and receive both audio and MIDI data, including MIDI clock information for syncing with external devices and other AIRA units.

VT-3: Voice Transformer

Easy Voice Transformation with Vocoder, Lo-Fi Effects, and Synths You Can Sing

Features

Aggressively processed vocals are common in electronic music today, but producing these effects easily and reproducing them live has been a challengeuntil now. With the VT-3 Voice Transformer, you can smoothly alter pitch and formant in real time to introduce heavily processed vocal sounds into your studio tracks and stage performances with zero hassle. On top of that, the VT-3 looks great and works seamlessly with other products in the AIRA series.

Create heavily processed vocal sounds in real time

Smooth control with dedicated Pitch and Formant sliders

Large dedicated Reverb and Mix Balance sliders

Save three favorite settings for instant recall

Connect an optional footswitch for additional control in live performances

Total Transformation

The VT-3 is not just for robot voices (although we totally approve of robot voices). It also has the power to transform your voice into synthesizers, synth basses, hard-tuned and lo-fi sounds, and more. The VT-3 can also be subtle and musical, with built-in reverb, smooth wet/dry fader control, and instant bypass.

Transform your voice with different character types:

Pop and electro sounds with two distinctive Auto-Pitch effects

Create VP-330-style Vocoder sounds without the need for a keyboard

Scatter function for glitchy effects that sound like somethings broken (in a good way)

Loads of lo-fi character with Megaphone and Radio settings

Synthetic sounding voices with the Robot button

Synth, Lead, and Bass settings for synths you can sing

Smooth Control

Built for creative speed and live performance, the VT-3 is meant to be played. It features high-quality specs and sturdy, brightly lit controls that are dead simple to use. The controls and functions are smooth and immediate, with no popping, clicking, or latency issues to worry about, even when switching presets or changing voice characters. Weighing less than two pounds and small enough to slip into a bag, you can take the VT-3 anywhere.

TR-8: Rhythm Performer

Authentic TR-808 and TR-909 Experience in a Modern, Performance-Ready Instrument

The TR-8 is a performance rhythm machine that melds the legendary sound and vibe of the TR-808 and TR-909 with features and functions for the modern age. Genre-defining sounds, classic effects, unprecedented live pattern manipulation, and solid, intuitive performance controls. Its the TRevolved.

Capturing the Originals

Full reproduction of the classic TR-808 and TR-909 rhythm machines, based on original design spec sheets and detailed analog circuit analysis of many original TR machines, including Rolands own pristine units

Newly developed Analog Circuit Behavior (ACB) technology allows part-by-part analyses and faithful recreation of tonality and behavior, including the smooth variations of tone that occur when you work the controls of each instrument

Obsessive attention to detail, such as reproducing the original TRs unique variations in tone that occur when multiple instruments are entered in accented steps

Authentic 16-step sequencer with faithful TR-REC behavior, including A and B pattern variations and the ability to play instruments and record to steps in real time

TR Evolved

16 stunning kits made up of 11 instrument types, including custom dream kits that use both TR-808 and TR-909 sounds

Two assignable analog outputs and full parallel outputs via USB for total mixing flexibility

The Lineage

Unleashed upon an unsuspecting world in the 1980s, the TR-808 and TR-909 produce arguably the most influential drum sounds in modern music. Not only have they appeared on thousands of dance tracks over the course of three decades, theyve helped define the sound of entire musical genres. From rap and house to techno and trance, the TR-808 and TR-909 have left an indelible mark on the art and culture of music. Roll the drums

The Sound

In developing the TR-8, weve obsessively analyzed and faithfully recreated every detail and nuance of the analog circuitry of these legendary rhythm machinesthe boom and snap of the 808; the thud of the 909; the robotic click of an 808 rim shot or a classic 909 snare roll. Its all here. But not content with mere recreations, weve enhanced these classic instruments with capabilities that go far beyond the original units.

Tune and Decay knobs are now present on every instrument, and the Bass Drum and Snare Drum have additional controls such as Attack, Snappy, and Comp. This allows for a wide variety of tones, from subtle ambient percussion to pounding dance grooves. Per-step effects and the massively addictive Scatter function take things into entirely new territory.

With the authentic tone and character of the original units and new sound-tweaking capabilities inspired by legions of users, the TR-8 breathes new life into the sounds we all know and love.

The Feel

Make no mistakethe TR-8 has been carefully designed from the ground up as an instrument to be played. Every control has a solid, predictable feel, with each drum instrument having robust, playable faders. Numerous lighted knobs and RGB buttons give both real-time performance feedback and a striking appearance on stage.

Pattern creation is creative and intuitive using an evolved version of the TR-REC method, which originated in the TR-808 and eventually became the standard for electronic rhythm programming. Based on detailed analysis of the original TR-808, the TR-REC behavior has been faithfully modeled in the TR-8. But the TR-8 goes well beyond the original, allowing you to seamlessly switch between programming and performance modes, and to introduce lots of groovy rhythmic variations from subtle snare fills to total glitch meltdowns.

What is Scatter?

Scatter is a unique performance function that gives you detailed real-time control over variations in your patterns and any incoming external input signal.

Scatter can reverse, glitch, gate, truncate, stutter, and perform all manner of rhythmic variations from subtle to extreme, and all in perfect sync

Pick from 10 different types of Scatter and smoothly adjust the intensityor Scatter Depthwith the large, comfortable dial

Seamlessly switch between Scatter patterns and quickly toggle Scatter on/off for cool variations when and where you want them

Try ityoull like it!

A Few More Things

The TR-8 looks great and is designed to work seamlessly with other products in the AIRA series. In addition, you can connect the TR-8 to your computer via USB to send and receive both audio and MIDI data, including MIDI clock information for syncing with external devices and other AIRA units.

Advanced Rhythm Trainer with Built-In Sounds The RMP-3 made headlines when it was announced in early 2005. Today Roland builds on its winning rhythm line with the new RMP-5. Sharing a few key features in common with the popular RMP-3, the RMP-5 has a convenient one-piece molded body with integrated pad and brain, along with a great-feeling, tunable mesh drumhead. The RMP-5 strides to the front of the class, however, with its 40-plus onboard PCM sounds (including snare drums, cymbals, and percussion instruments; the RMP-3 has no built-in sampled sounds) plus an external dual trigger input so you can add a kick and cymbal pad for drum kit practice. The RMP-5 also features an advanced, expanded Rhythm Coach mode.

Large LCD screen Patented mesh head technology for a great acoustic feel Advanced Rhythm Coach exercises, featuring Stroke Balance and Time Check Mix input for playing along with CD players or other audio devices

PCM Sounds Onboard

One of the key features that sets the RMP-5 apart from other rhythm trainers is its built-in sound engine. Now you can practice in style by selecting from the dozens of onboard PCM instruments inside the RMP-5. In addition to the acoustic sound of your sticks on the mesh pad (à la the RMP-3), the RMP-5 lets you trigger a variety of high-quality, internal snare drum samples, hi-hats, ride cymbals, and percussion instruments. You can also choose from a menu of metronome sounds, including a standard click, human-voice count, rhythmic patterns, and more.

Advanced Rhythm Coach

As a free-standing practice pad and electronic drum, the RMP-5 is a pleasure to play, but when it comes to improving your abilities as a drummer, it’s the onboard Rhythm Coach that really makes this instrument shine. When activated, the Rhythm Coach challenges drummers in a fun and friendly way with functions such as Time Check, Auto Up/Down, and Stroke Balance to help develop consistent stick technique. As an added bonus, the Time Check and Stroke Balance exercises can be used simultaneously for a dual-power workout. The Rhythm Coach can even grade your performance, so you can chart your progress.

Drum Kit Expansion

The RMP-5 provides a dual-trigger input that can be used to connect Roland’s KD-8 kick and CY-8 cymbal controllers (optional). All together, these three components form the nucleus of a small electronic drum kit. Now you can train not only your hands, but your feet as well. The RMP-5 provides the sounds for each pad, so you can play complete grooves either solo, along with the Rhythm Coach, or with external audio (such as CD players) connected to the RMP-5’s External Audio input.

All-New Drum Machine! From the "masters of drum sounds" comes the first new drum machine in over a year. Small in size and light in weight, this low-profile, easy to use Drum & Bass machine will go anywhere.

The range of drum kits built into the RT-223 is amazing. A total of 70 drum kits are available, with acoustic drum sounds for rock, R&B, funk, and jazz. Add an analog rhythm machine for Techno and Hip Hop. There are five human voice Beat Box style percussion kits and Ethnic percussion sounds.

A drum kit consists of 13 pads x 3 banks equalling 39 sounds per kit. Sound sources can be freely selected and assigned to the pads. Fine-tune parameters such as pitch, level, and panning to create original drum kits. The RT-223 can store up to 58 user-programmed kits. The Bass Machine lets users choose from electric bass styles such as Pick, Finger, and Slap. Or select Acoustic Bass, Synthesizer Bass, or one of the other bass sources, 12 in total. To create a bass line, users play the pads with assigned chromatic pitches just like a keyboard. A dedicated switch mutes the bass sound at any time.

From rock, jazz, and funk to club and house, the RT-223 comes with 440 drum patterns that can be used straight away. A large number of phrase variations including intro, fill-in, and ending patterns are also provided. By simply combining these, users can easily whip up a backing rhythms. Programming patterns is a snap, thanks to the touch-sensitive drum pads. The RT-223 records not only your timing, but also the dynamics of your finger work. You can create and store up to 511 patterns. The process is made even easier through visual cues provided by the self-lit pads and the FAST (Formula Assisted Song Translator) method.

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